High school theater productions in the northern suburbs of Syracuse

loria Wright / The Post-StandardZach Cavallo, portraying Danny, is surrounded by fellow Rydell High School students in “Grease,” Cicero-North Syracuse High School’s spring musical, which opens March 18 in the school auditorium.

Musical season is here and more than 1,000 high school students in Onondaga county are preparing to perform.

Some schools have selected classics, such as Cicero-North Syracuse’s production of “Grease” or Bishop Ludden’s “The Wizard of Oz.” Others are presenting some less-often staged titles, such as Manlius Pebble Hill’s “Pippin” and Christian Brothers Academy’s “No, No Nanette.”

For its production of “Grease, “ Cicero-North Syracuse has acquired the rights to perform the songs “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re The One That I Want,” popularized by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 film by the same title. Many productions don’t include those songs.

Liverpool’s musical, “Once on This Island,” features 85 students in the cast and crew, making it one of the largest productions in the northern suburbs. The musical takes place on a small island in the Caribbean. Inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” Liverpool’s musical, dealing with the supernatural, focuses on class distinctions and how love triumphs over all.

The plays will be performed at the high school unless otherwise noted. Here’s a look at the high school musicals coming soon to the northern suburbs or regional schools attended by north suburban students:

Cicero-North Syracuse

The musical: “Grease”

Playing: 7 p.m. March 18 and 19; 2 and 7 p.m. March 20

Tickets: $8 students/seniors, $10 adults, $12 reserved seats

Synopsis: Written in 1972 by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, “Grease” is a 1950s high school romp featuring fast cars, leather jackets and sock hops.

Synopsis: ”Once on This Island,” written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, is the story of peasant girl Ti Moune, who is sent on a journey by the gods to test the strength of love compared to the power of death.

Synopsis: “Pippin” is a musical spectacular about the son of Charlemagne who sets out to find the true meaning and purpose of his life. Along the way he faces the trials of war, love and politics before discovering his true self.

What’s unique about this production? When you walk into the theater you will see nothing but a bare, black box stage. Scenery seemingly appears out of nowhere and extraordinary illusions occur throughout the show.

Number in cast and crew: 46

Bishop Ludden

The musical: “The Wizard of Oz”

Playing: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Tickets: $10, $8 students; at the door, $12, $10 students

Synopsis: Dorothy and her dog Toto are trying to find their way home after they were carried to the Land of Oz in a cyclone.

Synopsis: A crooked band-instrument salesman rides into town, intending to hoodwink the stubborn citizens of River City, Iowa. “The Music Man” includes the classic songs, “Seventy Six Trombones,” “Till There Was You,” “Gary, Indiana” and “Goodnight, My Someone.”